Product Empties - September 2018

Hi everyone,

Welcome to another post of 'Product Empties'. I know its the second one in a two month period, but I went through a lot and I didn't want to put it all in one blog post.

Dr Botanicals Japanese Orange Fast Acting Overnight Restoring Mask (Discontinued)

This is a lovely overnight face mask, and it was the overnight mask that I used which got me into using overnight masks. This smells of oranges, and it also left my skin feeling super nourished and hydrated. Sadly, this product got discontinued even before I had finished using this up; which is a shame as I would have loved to have picked up another one.

Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil

This is the best scented rose oil I have ever used, and it also has a lovely lightweight formula that sinks into the skin straight away. It was a pleasure to use, and I would recommend this product to anyone who is in the market for a rose facial oil.

Tatcha Pure One Step Camillia Cleansing Oil

I loved using this as a pre-cleanse, as I found it just a tad more effective than my usual cleansing balm. This is also a lovely cleansing oil to use in the evening. Sadly, Tatcha products are not that easy to get a hold of here in the UK.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Quenching Serum

This is a gorgeous hydrating serum from Caudalie, and I think I'm currently on my fourth bottle. Its a lightweight serum, and it sinks into the skin straight away. It also has a lovely refreshing fragrance. If your skin is in need of a boost of hydration I would recommend that you give this a try.

Elemis Lime Blossom Cleanser

This cleanser from Elemis is suitable for people who have combination/ oily skin, and its also a cleansing cream so it won't strip your skin of any natural oils unlike a foaming cleanser. This is the second one of this cleanser that I have gone through, but sadly this one turned before I could even use it up.

REN Clarimatte Toner

I used the REN Clarimatte Toner as part of my Sunday skincare routine. It took me a while to use up, and this is the second one that I have up completely. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has oily/ combination skin, and is looking for something a little more gentle and might like to try something more natural.

Orchard & Bloom Madagascan Vanilla Shower Gel (Travel Size)

I enjoyed using this shower gel, even though I'm not a fan of vanilla scents. The vanilla fragrance in this shower gel wasn't that overpowering, and the shower gel did what it was supposed to do.

Baylis & Harding Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit Body Lotion (Travel Size)

This took me quite a while to get through even though it was only a travel size body lotion. The sweet mandarin and grapefruit fragrance was lovely, and refreshing.

Lancome Hydra Zen & Hydra Zen Nuit Moisturisers (Deluxe Size)

I have used the Lancome Hydra Zen Nuit moisturiser in the past and it is a gorgeous night time moisturiser. The Hydra Zen with the SPF I didn't enjoy using as much, as it was a little bit thick for a daytime moisturiser, even though it hydrate the skin well; it just took a while for it to sink in. The Hydra Zen line also smells of rose, which is a lovely touch.

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream (Deluxe Size)

This is a gorgeous moisturiser from Kiehl's, and its also a very effective moisturiser. I loved using this little sample jar, and I do own it in the full size. I used this as part of daytime skincare routine, and it made a little bit glowy and hydrated throughout the day. Also, due to it being a lightweight moisturiser I sank into the skin straight away.

L'Occitane Ultra Thirst Quenching Gel (Deluxe Size)

This is a latest moisturiser from L'Occitane, and its a lovely lightweight gel moisturiser which sinks into the straight away as well as giving a massive boost of hydration. I would recommend this to anyone who has normal/ combination skin and is looking to give it an extra boost of hydration. It would be great to use through the colder months.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Serum

See Above

Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil (Deluxe Size)

This is a more natural balancing facial oil, but its one you can feel working as soon as you apply it to the skin. Now despite the small size I managed to get around six months of alternate nightly use, which I think is excellent. This is one of the more effective balancing oils I have tried, and its also extremely lightweight so it sinks in straight away and gets to work on balancing out any oils. Lovely product, and I would love to try some more Herbivore products.

M&S Island Sunset Body Lotion

This is a lovely body lotion from M&S in the Island Sunset fragrance. I actually purchased this as part of a fragrance gift set, so I'm a little unsure if you can buy this body lotion individually. But the fragrance on this body lotion actually held on to the skin very well, as I could still smell it the following day. The Island Sunset scent is Sea Salt and Amber.

Lancome Genifique Serum (Sample Size)

Don't be fooled by the size of these sample sizes, as I got around six weeks worth of use out of both of these. I use this as part of daytime skincare routine, and it sinks into the skin after a short while. My skin has also reacted well to Lancome's Genifique serum ever since I have been getting the samples.

Cult Beauty Products That I Love

Hi everyone,

I thought I would do a post on cult beauty products which I love, as I've never done anything like this on my blog before.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
This is my go-to neutral eyeshadow palette, as I prefer this over the Urban Decay Naked Palette just because it suits me that little bit more due to more cooler hues of the natural colours. I've managed to get a complete look out of this palette more than once, and thats one thing I struggled with; with the Naked palette. Its also a more versatile neutral palette as you do have a few 'pops' of colour alongside the natural shade selection.

Too Faced Melted Matte Lipsticks
I love how matte these lipsticks go without them actually drying out your lips. At the moment I do only own one shade, which is 'Queen B' but I do intend on getting a couple of more. These are also lightweight feeling liquid lipsticks, and they smell heavenly.

Clinique 'Take The Day Off' Cleansing Balm
I love to use this in the evening as my pre-cleanse, as it does an effective job as a first cleanse before I go in with a second cleanse. I know its only a basic cleansing balm, but its also the most cost effective as a pot of this will last me months as you only need to use a small amount to get the job. All you need to do to remove it is to use a warm flannel and ta-da the first layer of build is removed. I then follow up my second cleanse using a different cleanser.

Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil
This is a lovely lightweight volumising oil from Percy & Reed, and it does the job effectively; especially if you fine hair like myself. It also smells delicious. I put this in after I have washed my hair, and then I just my hair to dry naturally. Then in the morning my hair has a lot more volume than what it did in the previous evening.

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator
The MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is great for anyone who is looking for an efficient exfoliator for oily/ combination skin. This exfoliator helps to get rid of any loose skin cells on top of the skin, and it also balances out the skins natural oils.

I really hope that you enjoy reading about my favourite cult beauty products, and the reasons on why I like them.

NB) Just a quick note to say that this post has nothing to do with the website Cult Beauty. Its purely just the name of the title that I thought up for this blog post. I didn't want any confusion between the two

Product Empties - August 2018

Hi everyone,

It's time for some more 'Products I Have Used Up', and I haven't done one these posts for quite a while.

Body Shop Pina Colada & Frosted Berries Shower Gels

I love the scents of these shower gels, as they are both fruity and refreshing. Sadly, both of these were seasonal fragrances. I also really like the formula of the shower gels from the Body Shop.

Original Source Mint & Tea Tree Shower Gel

These are okay to use, but they are not the best formula for shower gel that I have used. The Tea Tree and Mint scent is also okay, but its nothing special.

Body Shop Polynesian Island Tiare Shower Gel

This is a delicate scent from the Body Shop. The scent is fine, and the formula is just the standard one that you pick up from the Body Shop. This shower gel is also slightly more expensive than the original shower gels.

Body Shop Vineyard Peach Shower Gel

The love the scent of the Vineyard Peach line from the Body Shop, as its very refreshing and summery. I also like the formula of the Body Shop shower gels.

Palmolive Hand Soaps

I picked these up to try as I was running out of hand soaps. My favourite fragrance was the lime one, as it was lovely to use. I also had to use quite a bit of soap to get a decent lather.

Colgate Plax Whitening & Mild Mint Mouthwashes

I really like the Colgate Plax mouthwashes, and my preferred is the mild mint. The whitening variety on the other hand I wasn't keen on due to the taste. I have repurchased the mild mint variation a few times.

L'Oreal Phytoclear Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

This I tried as I was looking for a new anti-dandruff shampoo, and this is variety for normal hair. I really like shampoo, and I'm currently working my way through my second bottle.

TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Conditioner

The scent of this conditioner is divine as it smells like a chai tea latte. Its also quite a hydrating conditioner, and also the scent lingered for quite a while afterwards. Its not cheap product, but it did last me ages.

Pixi Glow Tonic

This is a bit of usual product for me, as I know that its raved about constantly. But, in all honesty I didn't think it did anything for my skin for most of the time that I was using it. Some days it would work just fine, and on others it just didn't want to work at all.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

This is my second tub of this that I have used up, but it took me ages to get through for some odd. The first tub I used I went through it in about six weeks, this one took me close to three months. But this is another skincare product from Pixi that I'm not overly fond of, and I think it has something to do with the consistency of the balm. On the other hand it does have a lovely rose fragrance.

This is end of the first part of my product empties for August. 

News: Sephora USA UK Shipping Changes 2018

Hi everyone,

Just a quick bit of information for you that I have recently come across regarding Sephora USA shipping to the UK.

Sephora USA is NO LONGER shipping to the UK and the Netherlands, and from doing a bit research it has something to do with the changes in the Law regarding the use of Data and Data Protection.

If you do go to the Sephora USA website you will automatically be redirected to the Sephora French website.

Best Wishes

Lauren xx

Products I Like to Use for a Pamper

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you the products I use for when I'm in need of a little pamper session.

Lush H'Suan Wen Hua
This is a lovely deep conditioning hair treatment from Lush. I haven't always got time to do a hair treatment before I get in the shower. This is a 20 minute pre-shampoo treatment, and its very effective. Also, it has a gorgeous cinnamon scent.

Lush Rehab Shampoo
This is my favourite shampoo from Lush, as its very effective at clarifying the hair, but it doesn't strip the hair of any natural oils. I always shampoo my hair twice, and you only need to use a small amount for it to be effective. It also has a lovely citrus fragrance.

Lush Retrend Conditioner
This is a heavier conditioner that I use about once/ twice a week to help to really condition my hair. You don't need to leave it long for it to really condition the hair, but I just run this through the ends of my hair as I find that what needs the most conditioner. It also smells incredible.

Bath Bombs from Lush
I adore the bath bombs from Lush. My favourites to use are Dragon's Egg, and also Avobath combined with the You've Been Mangoed bath melt. These are both on the citrus side of scents, but they are both just as delicious and relaxing to use.

I really enjoy treating myself to a Lush pamper from time to time, as I don't always have time to do a full on pamper session. I've actually just one today, as I'm writing this post and I actually feel a little more relaxed and my hair feels as if I've just walked out of the hairdressers.

Review: Lancome Energie de Vie Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask

Hi everyone,

I've been using the Lancome Energie de Vie Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask as part of my evening skincare routine for the past few months, and I thought I would share my thoughts with you.

The Lancome Energie de Vie Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask has a lovely, lightweight texture that sinks into the skin straight away, as well as giving it an instant boost of hydration.

  I use this every night as part of my evening skincare routine, and its also one of the best overnight masks that I have used.

Claims

- Goji Berry, French Melissa & Gentian

Helps to neutralise skin damaging free radicals, improves skin elasticity, and instantly decreases the skins temperature by 1.8C.

- This refreshing cream is formulated to "burst" when applied to the skin, and it releases a flood of weightless moisture onto the skin which absorbs completely. This gives the skin a healthy, smooth and supple appearance.

- Offering the hydration and plumping effect of a balm, and the freshness and lightness of a water mist.

- Leaves skin deeply hydrated and recovered for a healthier, more radiant complexion with a well rested, youthful looking glow

- Skin will feel fresh and rep lumped with a radiant glow

I'm thoroughly impressed with the Energie de Vie Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask, as it does leave my complexion with a natural glow. I also really enjoy how lightweight this overnight mask, as it helps it to absorb into the skin straight away. Also, you only need the tiniest amount as a little goes a very long way. 

Overall, my complexion feels a lot more hydrated, and also a lot brighter.

My Savon de Provence Fine Soap Collection

Hi everyone,

I have amassed a small collection of soaps from the brand Savon de Paris, and I purchase these soaps from the Christmas Markets in Manchester from a stall based on King Street.

I really love to use these soaps for cleaning my make up brushes, as it thoughtly cleans them as well as gives them a little bit of moisture. 

I've also found these soaps to better than any other brush cleaner that I have used in the past, and this included the Dr Bronner's Liquid Castille Soap. They are also excellent value for money, as a little bit goes an extremely long way when cleaning make up brushes.

They also come in a range of fragrances, and I currently own six of those fragrances.
They are :-
- Almond
- Argan
- Lavender
- Provence
- Apricot
- Verveine (Verbena)

If you can find these soaps I would highly recommend you picking one up to try, especially if your on look out for something effective to deep clean your make up brushes.